Blabbermouth.net has just reported that Mark Abbattista, attorney for the family of the late KISS drummer Eric Carr has released the following statement to Blabbermouth.net:

“It came to our attention through a variety of different media outlets that a legal proceeding was filed against the band KISS purporting to be on behalf of the ‘The Estate of Eric Carr‘ and the ‘late KISS drummer’s heirs.’ This proceeding was filed by a non-related third party without any knowledge, authorization or consent of anyone in the Carr family. The filing party’s attorney has been contacted and ordered to cease and desist from any further statements, actions or allusions purporting to be on behalf of, or in any way relating, directly or indirectly, to Eric Carr and/or the Carr family. Paul Stanley and Gene Simmons know that Eric‘s family is not involved in this matter. However, due to the litigious society in which we live and the unfiltered proliferation of inaccurate online discussion, it is imperative to address the matter publicly, set the record straight and let the fans know that we are unified in our response to preserve and protect the honorable and beloved legacy of Eric Carr.”

Added an Eric Carr family member: “We’ve known each other for almost 35 years and we have the highest respect for KISS and keeping Eric‘s memory in a positive light.”

Meanwhile, KISS guitarist/vocalist Paul Stanley tweeted the following message after the news of the lawsuit broke yesterday: “Eric Carr‘s family is shocked by a lawsuit filed without their knowledge or support. We will deal with this attempted scam appropriately.”

A copy of the complaint, filed on March 10 by attorney Robert Garson in New York County Supreme Court, can be downloaded as a PDF file for a $35 fee from the Courthouse News Service.

Carr joined KISS in 1980 after the departure of the band’s original drummer Peter Criss. He recorded eight albums with the group, starting with “Music From ‘The Elder'” in 1981. His last recorded appearance with KISS was “Hot In The Shade”, released in 1989.

According to classicrockmagazine.com, KISS have been sued by the heirs of late drummer Eric Carr, who claim the band owe them 23 years of royalty payments.

It’s alleged they failed to pay money due for four tracks he wrote during his 11-year stint, which ended with his death from cancer in 1991.

Attorney Robert Garson says the unnamed heirs believed they were receiving everything they were entitled to, and only recently discovered payments were due from sources other than the American Society of Composers, Authors and Publishers.

Garson tells the New York Post: “They thought they were getting it all from one source.” Now they believe more cash should have come from the Kiss corporation, Gene Simmons Worldwide and two Kiss publishing firms.

The dispute centres around the songs Little Caesar, Breakout, Carr Jam 1981 and Carr Jam 1991, all written by the drummer, whose real name was Paul Charles Caravello.

Among the evidence submitted to Manhattan Supreme Court is a 1989 payment for $4000 for overseas sales, and paperwork which, Garson says, proves the band attempted to avoid dealing with the issue by blaming touring schedules and overworked staff.

Meanwhile, Kiss frontman Paul Stanley has blamed the Rock And Roll Hall Of Fame for the band’s recent decision that no lineup would perform at their induction ceremony next month.

He and Gene Simmons made the announcement after it had been hoped original members Ace Frehley and Peter Criss would return for a one-off performance, with current men Tommy Thayer and Eric Singer also involved in some way.

Stanley tells Billboard: “They wanted the original four guys to play, in makeup. But, honestly, I don’t want to roll the dice and possibly negatively impact on what I personally have been involved in building for 40 years. I have too much invested at this point.

“It really is a can of worms that I feel is better off left closed. There’s been a lot of issues – perhaps the best way to deal with them is to celebrate the four original guys, go there, get our award and to look past the differences that will always be there.

“It doesn’t change the big picture: we have differences and we will continue to have differences.”

Back in 1987, Frank Hagan created his KISS Mask fanzine, self publishing the ‘zine which included Frank’s exclusive interviews with Ace Frehley, Peter Criss, Bruce Kulick, Eddie Kramer, Bill Aucoin as well as this interview with the late Eric Carr. This interview has never been heard and we’re bringing it to you straight from Frank’s micro cassette recorder. Recorded on November 9th, 1989.